CNN's Anderson Cooper carries bloody boy away from looters in Haiti

In a story in today's edition, we explored the question of whether the medical correspondents for the television networks should be assisting the wounded in Haiti as they cover the story of the aftermath of last week's devastating earthquake.

CNN on Monday aired another example of a journalist intervening to help, showing graphic footage of anchor Anderson Cooper dragging an injured boy away from a chaotic scene of looting. As the stunned boy tried to wipe the blood from his face, Cooper put his hand on his shoulder. "It's OK, it's OK," he said, looking around frantically for someone to help.

Cooper then set down the small camera he had been carrying and scooped the boy up in his arms, carrying him over to a crate away from the violence.

-- Matea Gold

Comments

[Scott]

Though I've no love for the network talking head that seems to want to be the news versus report on the news I cannot imagine any of the correspondents that are also docs to do any less than they're doing now. Their reporting is trumped by the ability to render assistance. And Anderson Cooper's outrage and sense of helplessness is what we should see from other correspondents. As hard as it is for me to say this, I don't believe what he did was meant to be self serving but rather a human response to a help a kid stay alive...

[Le Comte de Montcorbier]

There's a "question" to be "explored?"

I'd like to hear the reasons why someone SHOULDN'T come to the aid of people immediately endangered by a crisis.

"Journalistic Impartiality?" Yeah, we don't want reporters taking sides in the controversy of Horrific Natural Disaster vs. Poor People.

[Sharon]

i cant believe this is even a question... medical correspondents, like Dr. Sanjay Gupta are there reporting the news from a dr.'s point of view but if their help is needed i can't think of a reason why he or any of them shouldn't help someone in need of medical assistance. Anderson Cooper showed that he is human by carrying that poor boy who like he said would have probably died if he left him there. he only did what a human being with a heart would do.

[RustyBucket]

Really?

You do know that medically trained individuals take an oath. While some people may not view "oath-taking" as anything serious anymore - I want a doctor, when asked to help, to put down his mic and get to work.

Apparently Gupta is someone who takes his oath seriously.

"...Into whatever homes I go, I will enter them for the benefit of the sick...."

And you could see the fury in Cooper's face when he turned to that woman, and she just picked up her stuff and walked away.

[Sherill Kumbarji]

There is no big question to be addressed here. As human beings, no matter what the job or circumstances require, if it is possible to lend a hand and save others from suffering or even death, common sense should dictate we do it--period! I'm glad to see Anderson Cooper acting on instinct, rather than his job description put forth by a television network. In a perfect world, Mr. Cooper's actions would be the norm, not the exception!

[No]

Scott, quit being a right-wing, pro-Faux news jerk.

It's better for Anderson to have helped that child! He was just amazing to do that and to risk himself in that way! What a true hero! I see no wrong in doing good such as that.

[John Grey]

Reporting the News is the Reporters Bread and Butter, and you DO have to keep abit of distance when reporting, or you BECOME the news....but when a reporter sees someone in pain, or in danger, and has the ability to stop it, that's called being a human being......GREAT work, Mr. Cooper!

[Angela]

I've always respected Anderson Cooper, and his heroric judgement as a human being/ journalist should never be questioned.

SFC Angela Hopkins
United States Army (Ret).

[Teri Pestotnik]

I wanted to shout out a BIG thank you to Anderson Cooper, your awesome!!

[Liz]

Lives being threatened supercede any job...shame on Matea Gold for even imposing such stupid question. We all have jobs to do, but to question risking your job to help others? Is to be unconcious of your surroundings and pretencious of who you are as a human being. Do you form your job or does your job form who you are?

Cudos to Anderson Cooper for being a caring, unselfish human being, those journalists in Haiti right now only caring to cover the grim stories should question themselves as to "How else can I be of impact to these people while I'm here?"

[blady]

Kudos Anderson! He showed the same compassion that he revealed during the Katrinia tragedy. He's not just a talking head--but a man of action. Imagine how Rush or Sean would have reacted. God bless you, Anderson.

[Mel Snow]

Brian,
You are a man of great value in everything you do!!!!
A comment above about the media should not get involved is senseless. Any American from here regardless of their career or religious belief would have done the same thing. Americans no matter what disasters come along have the compassion and the eager to help. It is just the American way!! I have listened to Brian for many years. He is a great and very compassionate person.

[Racheal Wigley]

Could someone PLEASE do a follow up on that young child?

[Cary]

This is an incredible story as well as the one for Dr Gupta who stayed alone to keep a hospital open after the medical staff were told to leave for security reasons. We have some great people in this country!

[Shirley]

I want to thank Mr Anderson for the heroic thing he did in helping that boy. I watched it on TV and was thankful he was there when the boy was being pelted like he was with stones and other things. Hope we do hear how the boy is.

[Lesa Lang]

I was flipping through channels and stopped to watch the looting that was being recorded by AC. I saw him rescue the little boy and mentioned that he would probably never see him again. I then started flipping channels again to another news channel and stopped at one and to save my life I dont know the channel I turned to but they were covering a story about the medical help and make shift hospitals. I saw that same boy sitting there with a bandage around his head, he was wearing the same shirt and everything. I know that was him. It gave me a good feeling of peace to know that he had been saved and his wounds were treated. Just thought I'd let your station know that the little boy is ok and maybe with some searching you could find him in a nearby medical facilty. Im 100% sure it was him.

[david blackman]

I remember watching the video years ago of a turtle on the beach, dying because it could not find the water. It was disoriented. The cameraman filming this turtle did not pick it up and put it in the water. It was awful, with some excuse about not affecting the natural order of life or history. I don't buy it for a second. The cameraman just wanted the shot. Anderson Cooper is a human first, a correspondent second. He is brave and a true hero. There is no one with a higher amount of integrity in Haiti right now reporting than Anderson Cooper. Cheers for CNN

[Wendy]

Mr. Cooper put the person before himself and the job. I pray I do the same if ever in a similar situation.

The young boy seemed stunned after getting that blow to his head...unable to make a decision...and Mr. Cooper stuck w/ him.

Thank you Mr. Cooper...you've got guts...and heart!

[gertrude]

You can't seriously be posing this question - its completely rhetorical. If ANYONE just continued "reporting" instead of giving the life-saving help these 2 reporters/decent Human Beings did, they would have and should have been lynched. As it happened, they reminded us all what Doing The Right Thing actually means. Bravo, bravo. It has been absolutely edifying to see the righteous outrage and sorrow AC & Dr.SG have displayed in the face of the God-awful situation that exists in Haiti. Time to stand up and be counted again, and Cooper and Gupta were men enough to do it.

[ac]

Could you sleep at night?
This demonstrates that the man is obviously human and saw a child in danger. There is no question if correspondents should get involved; they are already there and in the middle of it.

I applaud his bravery to grab the boy and run.